Here's an interesting ref. to an article in the Feb.issue of the"The Oldie" by Charlotte Metcalf, quite a lady!
Relevant to current debate on GN?
Quote;
"Conversation - stoppers."
"Now that I live mainly in London, I'm finding that the robust, stimulating conversation of my imagination is increasingly elusive
It is being murdered by the Blockers- people who are too distracted to listen, too timid to handle the rough and tumble of general conversation, too bigoted to embrace a contrary opinion and too intent on creating an impression to focus on what anyone else says.
Evelyn Waugh described good conversation as a fantasy growing in the telling, apt repartee, argument based on accepted postulates, spontaneous reminiscences and quotation."
She then goes on to describe a few types of Blocker you are wise to avoid:
The Diverter
The Topper
The Wit
The Expert
The Egotist
The Pity-Seeker
The Bad Loser
The Amnesiac
Her supporting arguments are very relevant, but you'll have to splash out a few bob to see them all!
IN MY OPINION GN has more than a few!
OoRoo